At Least 21 Killed in Afghan Suicide Bombing

A suicide bomber in a Toyota Corolla attacked a US military convoy near a crowded market just outside of Jalalabad, Afghanistan today, killing at least 21 people, including one US soldier. The explosion wounded another 74 people near the heavily trafficked livestock market.

The attack destroyed a US military vehicle, two civilian vehicles and two rickshaws, according to a photographer on the site. UN official Chris Alexander urged insurgent groups to “bear responsibility for ensuring civilians are kept out of harm’s way,” while provincial governor Rahmatullah Roufi announced a “purification” operation against insurgents. So far no group has claimed responsibility for the blast.